Leslie Sinclair's Blog, page 16

A Week With Segreto!

Hi Friends! Spring is here and it’s been another fun filled crazy week!! Let’s see what went on!!

This house has been so much fun to work on!!  Here is the before, right when they were getting started with the construction on my first walk though!  Wanting to lighten things up we chose Benjamin Moore Sea Pearl to paint the walls and trim throughout the house. The goal was to remove all the accent tones and the sharp contrast between the trim and walls.

Wow what a dramatic change the right colors make!  Her furnishings and collections become the focal!

As you enter the home the study is the first room to the right.  She has an amazing antique book collection that was gifted to her by her father and she really wanted to showcase them.  Although she liked the thought of stained wood, the dark paneling felt oppressive to her.

Here is the after.  By sanding it and applying a creamy toned and thinned down primer wash, we were able to glaze it rather than paint which allows the natural grain to show though while lightening the entire space.

Thrilled with the outcome this has become one of her favorite spaces in her new home. Hope Dad is happy!!

In the dining room Gunn Construction and Building crafted two China cabinets.  I love this pull out!  It works so well as serving when she is hosting a dinner party!

We finished it with a painted technique which pulled the tones from the adjoining study and applied gold leaf to the bead detail to dress it up for the space.

This dining room in one of Kirby’s client’s homes for Designer Shannon Crain took a major turn with the wall finish.  We plastered it in the most soothing tone of blue gray and hand painted a tone on tone mural giving life and interest to the shape!! Don’t worry you will see better pics in Book 4!!

Back at the warehouse we are sending off a massive SegretoStone side table for one of Eleanor Cummings’ projects!! I hope they have lots of people on the other end to help move it as this one is REALLY heavy!!

I thought this was such a cool shot that we took for the kitchen section of Book 4. It was so fun working with designer Lindsey Herod as she is a master of styling!!  I love the detail close up of the hood in this screen shot! The photographer uses her computer screen to look and check if everything is in focus. I think this would be a great idea for book 5.  A room shot with close ups of the finishes!  Wait… did I just say that!!

I rounded off the week at a home we collaborated on for  Chandos Dodson! We did not have time to photograph the bedrooms so I took this snapshot of one of the girls’ room!!  It is so beautifully furnished and the tones of the plaster really enhance this space. Lucky girls who gets to move in to this room!!

Its definitely been a whirl wind week! Even designer/daughter Kirby is creating her own samples to meet a project deadline!! Take care, take a breath, and enjoy some moments!! Till next week!  XO Leslie

The post A Week With Segreto! appeared first on Segreto Finishes.

What’s Segreto Up to This Spring?

Hi Friends!!  I hope you are having a wonderful week!!!  I have been super busy! Having so much fun doing photo shoots of homes for the book and working with some wonderful people to make their homes as wonderful as they are!!

London Penthouse is the theme in this space. This neutral paint color with a hint of lavender is absolutely beautiful painted on the inset flat panels of the ceiling and then washed into the reveals on the wall paneling. The gold leaf accents on all the bead details really make this a stand out space.

I am so excited about seeing this room completed. We are hand-painting a mural in this client’s office with soft rose tone on tone florals and trees.

Another room got a similar treatment!! This vestibule borders a vibrant green bar and a hot pink tiled powder. By hand painting the tree and floral design, we were able to naturally incorporate both colors to tie the two spaces together.

You can tell it is still a construction site.  I am standing in the study and looking toward the entry. We finished the corbels in the study to read like the brass insets inlaid into the wood.  The entrance with tones of barely blue, and hints of blush embellished in gold is stunning with the high gloss back door.  Imagine when the paper is removed and you see the beautiful flooring!

This staircase had a few firsts for me. Notice the garland detail?  This was made from a 3-D rendering that the Architect, Dillon Kyle drew out. Then they put the drawing into a machine and a perfect scale embellishment was created out of resin (I think!).  We applied gold leaf it so that they blend perfectly with the brass railings. I still want to take a field trip to see his machine! So cool!  This crystal ball finial is pretty spectacular too!! Believe it our not we tried to photography some of this house.  I will see if shooting around the paper, plastic and scaffolds worked!!

Look who greeted us at the next home we went to photograph!! This little kitty stole the show on this elaborate bed, whose headboard is created from a Reclaimed French fragment found from Renouveau.

I drove out to Hockley for a site visit on a job we are collaborating with Slovack-Bass. With steel framed windows and a plastered two story entry, this one will be beautiful when finished!!

We are also staining much of the cabinetry and doors in the home!  This natural tone is definitely a trend alert! Remember how oak used to be stained in orange tones!! I like this new direction so much better!!

It allows the natural grain to show in such  a quiet and warm way!! Here is a wooden door completely finished.

So what is the difference in this door?  It was a flat metal and we painted it to look like real wood! We used a wood grain tool to create the natural grain texture and painted and glazed it to match the other doors which we stained!  The homeowner was so proud of it. This job is being managed by Andrea, one of our designers and, on the walk though I had to be told which one was stained and which one was painted to look as if it started from the natural oak wood! I gave my guys a high five on this one!!

Here is a sneak peak on book 4.  This home was a labor of love for Architectural Consultant, Sarah West. Typically working with designers to furnish the home, this project she took on from start to finish.  Loving to mix elements from all eras, she has created such an inviting space!

Winding up the week, I went back to the warehouse to see what was happening there.  This statue which was damaged in Harvey is on the schedule to be restored.

It is not quite done yet but what a difference! I think designer Susan Blankenship will be happy!  This pretty piece is going back into her own home. I hope you enjoyed going on a week with me!! Next Monday we will take another tour!! Till then!  XO  Leslie

The post What’s Segreto Up to This Spring? appeared first on Segreto Finishes.

Easter Tablescapes and DIY Easter Tree!

Hi Friends!  You all know by now how much I love every holiday! I wanted to share some fun activities and tablescape ideas you can enjoy for Easter with your family and friends!!

Every year I ask all of you to send me your Easter tablescapes to share for the following year, and this one was certainly inspiring.  At first glance it looks way too difficult to achieve. If we look at each element: boxwood running down the table, jars filled with lemon or limes, and vases with tulips, I think we all can master this beautiful Easter table!!!!

Layering of different items is certainly the key to a showstopping table!!

What a great idea!  Garnishing the food with florals is super easy and adds a bit of springtime to any delish dish!

Fruit also adds that little something extra!

And don’t forget the desserts! Pretty alone, they look even more Easter-festive with the floral garnishes!! For more tablescape ideas go here,   here, and here to see my past tables and some wonderful creative tips!

I just can’t seem to have a holiday dinner without a craft. I have found it’s important to have all the materials laid out and ready to prompt your guests to dive right in.

I decided to make an Easter tree this year with my family for our craft!  Everyone could contribute and why not have the 20-30 year old’s get back to their roots of decorating Easter eggs?

This is how it turned out! Before you get started, make yourself a material list and check everything. I was totally not thinking when I gathered all the materials and headed down to Galveston for Easter -I forgot so many items that I needed!

I grabbed branches and a vase, not thinking about how to make them not tilt over.  Fortunately I found some string and bubble wrap which made it somewhat sturdy.

Oh no, I couldn’t leave the outside of the vase looking like this! Thankfully my resourceful Mom was there and found some white shelf lining paper in the pantry that we were going to give a try as a wrapping. I picked up some cherry blossom branches from Michael’s and hot glued some of the flowers to the wooden branches.

The shelf paper worked out great and we made a focal point at the base with some of the flowers and some shells from around the house.

Sweet Mom looks thrilled with the results! Or maybe she is just smiling because we are taking a happy hour break! Cheers!

Our tree is all set up and ready to be decorated!

For Easter egg decorating ideas go here!! There are so many beautiful ways to decorate an egg! We tried a variety of different techniques including drawing with colorful markers and traditional egg dying. You can also glue pretty decorations like flowers onto your egg for an extra special touch. Don’t forget to hot glue a ribbon onto the top so you can hang your tiny art piece on the tree!

Here is my daughter Sammy and her boyfriend Dylan’s creations!!

Everyone had so much fun decorating their own little art pieces!!

We definitely have room to add on each year!! This was super easy and really fun!!

I hope everyone has a wonderful day with family and friends. Please email me your Easter craft or table for next year’s inspirations.  Leslie@segretofinishes.com

Happy Easter!  Till next week! XO Leslie

The post Easter Tablescapes and DIY Easter Tree! appeared first on Segreto Finishes.

How to Juggle it All- Marie Flanigan

Hi Friends! I have been working with Marie Flanigan and her gifted team on numerous projects lately and am amazed by how she seems to effortlessly juggle marriage, kids, work – always with that beautiful smile.

I think I was feeling overwhelmed one day, so when chatting with her at a job-site we struck up a conversation on life work balance. At that time, she was very, very pregnant with her third.  And now…

 

she has recently welcomed a beautiful baby girl, Eve Elizabeth.  Baby Eve is absolutely beautiful. Congratulations Marie! Now I really wanted to revisit that conversation! We are all busy and whether it be juggling work, school, friends, grand kids, charity work or working at the kids schools – balancing tips can help us all!

 

Marie says, “having children helped me develop a laser focus when it comes to work. Since the birth of my first son, I’ve made it a point not to waste precious time on unimportant issues. I dedicate a lot of energy to hiring teammates who make me stronger and more efficient so that I have the opportunity to put my family first.”  I have worked with most of her team members, many who are moms themselves, and all of them have the same customer focused mentality as Marie.

Look how beautiful Eve’s room is!! Just like a secret garden! When my three were little, it was difficult when I was at home playing with the kids and the phone rang, which it did constantly.  So, I asked Marie how she handles taking care of her family and clients’ needs.

“Family time is very important to me, so I do my best to schedule work days around picking up my little ones at a set time every day. Once home, I try to stay unplugged for the evening, picking things back up once the littles have gone to bed. Of course, that’s only when I don’t fall asleep alongside them in the process!”

“Raising a family does take a village and we’re blessed to have family nearby who offer constant love and support. It doesn’t hurt that my supportive husband is also a very hands-on father and one who loves to cook!”

Marie and her husband met at A&M and are such a cute couple-then and now!  Here is another tip from Marie…

“A mentor once shared that there are 4 quadrants of importance for the things we do every day:

Important/Urgent
Important/Non-Urgent
Non-Important/Urgent
Non-Important/Non-Urgent

She continues, “most of us fill our days addressing the third category of non-important yet urgent tasks. However, the items in the second category are most of the MOST important, and they almost never receive our time or attention. I try to prioritize my days by spending valuable minutes in those first two quadrants. Once I started viewing my to-do list within this framework, my life and business changed for the better.”

A few things you might not have know about Marie:

She is a classically trained and practiced architect.

She has her MBA.

She and her husband share many of the same passions!

She is as nice as she is talented and sweet, down to earth and pretty.

She loves margaritas and sushi.

Her favorite activities are photography, cycling and walks with her kids.

Her favorite comedian is Brian Regan.

No two of her projects ever look the same!!

Her trademark style is evident through the sophisticated uses of color, texture, light, and every home she designs receives her personal signature of timeless elegance and innovative simplicity.

I was honored to be mentioned in Diane Cowen’s latest lifestyle article about a home Marie designed in the Houston Chronicle, “How a Heights home’s dining room went from blank slate to gorgeous dinner spot“.  Be sure to read it to see the beautiful dining room, one we had so much fun being a part of! Thank you Houston Chronicle for the feature and a special thanks to Marie for her great advice, and constant sharing of creativity and beauty! If you don’t follow her on Instagram or read her blog, you should!! They are always inspiring!!

Sad news for all of us but probably good news for Dianne Josephs who owns and curates Atelier Fifteen-O-Five! She has decided to shut her doors and spend more time with those grand babies of hers.  She is offering 30%-50% off of all of her antiques and fine art!  I have purchased many items which I love from her over the years! You might want to stop by before it all flies out the door!!  www.Atelier1505.com located on 1505 Sawyer Street, 713/864-2112 or email dianne@atelier1505.com.

Until next time, xo Leslie

The post How to Juggle it All- Marie Flanigan appeared first on Segreto Finishes.

Warehouse-An Unlimited Space to Create!

Hi Friends!!  I love new beginnings and limitless imagination. This quote sums it up!

“Never limit yourself because of others’ limited imagination; never limit others because of your own limited imagination.”-Mae Jemison

This is what the warehouse purchase has meant for me, Segreto and you!!

Even though little Charlotte loved her daddy’s (Isai’s) new office space as it was when we purchased it, we have made it much much prettier now! Officially starting Segreto in 1995, I had no idea that we would ever need a space with oodles of room where we could refinish furniture, build our sinks and counters and just be able to create. Starting in my garage, then renting a small office storage space, to buying and remodeling two tiny homes to this “BIG WAREHOUSE, the transitions show that dreams definitely can come true and grow!

In it’s previous life it was a machine shop and the walls were filled with grease. It is 6,000 square ft building on an acre of land. My hope one day is to build offices on the property, so both design and operations can be in one place. But to start, we are so excited to transform this into a showroom and work space.

We cleaned the walls and reapplied foam insulation to fill holes and hopefully reducing the air-conditioning bill. What I didn’t know is that this insulation turns mustard yellow really fast!  So, the front half of the building where we have more visitors was painted and the back working area left as is to amber over time. That budget thing!!

This is from the back of the building looking towards the front garage doors. We put up a wall to divide the clean working areas like furniture refinishing, storing supplies, paint, office and bathroom spaces. You can see at the front we are building a building within the building for offices and showroom. The sign, to the right, has our logo hand painted on some outdoor fencing we had taken down.

We built a two story structure lining the right of the building–the bottom floors have his and her bathrooms, a kitchenette and a station to mix paint. The top floor stores the books and all of our supplies. Wish I could have afforded an elevator–oh well, at least we are getting our steps in!

On the other side there is a staging room for furniture below and offices above. Look at the amazing steel windows we got from ACI Metal Works!! It really looks like a home now since we have plastered the exterior walls and lime washed the brick!

The girl’s bath has a Segretostone waterfall basin topped with a vessel sink and a hand-painted floral design on the walls!  Here are those IKEA drawers again painted like brass. Floors next!!!

Here are the walls in the men’s bath!! They got a soft gray plaster with a stencil pattern in a metallic. They needed to feel special too!!

We now can create metal bases for our SegretoStone sinks. Whether it be iron or brass, we now can manufacture it!!  This model sink sits outside against the walls of the bathrooms which were planked and coated with plaster and …

a his and her motif was created on top of the wood doors to each bath with SegretoStone. A world of possibilities!!

We now have space to silver leaf lamps…..

form sinks…

refine new techniques…

refinish furniture…

age new doors to read old….

and just create!

We also have room for another dream of mine… our own Segreto Paint enables us to offer lovely colors at affordable prices and to be able to create signature colors individualized for every client.

We have hosted few things here for groups who called. We hope to do much more of this in the future to share our world of possibilities with you!!

I want to thank each of you for your loyal support and friendship during our ever evolving journey!! Friends are the family you choose. Let yours know how much they mean to you!  So friends, you mean a lot to me! I am forever grateful for all who all who have allowed me to create and constantly inspired me to always imagine new possibilities!!

I am off to Santa Fe for the ArtFusion Event!!   If you are nearby stop by and say hi!!  They will have guest speakers from all over-lots of displays and so many wonderful classes to take! Pull up the event on line!  Honestly I am a bit nervous being a featured speaker!  Wish me luck!! Till next week!  XO Leslie

The post Warehouse-An Unlimited Space to Create! appeared first on Segreto Finishes.

I Am Now an IKEA Hack-Segreto’s Updated Showroom!

Hi Friends!! Happy Spring!! I have been meaning to update you on the new things we have done to our offices and the warehouse, but you know how time gets away from us. Wanting to renovate, we thought we would get creative to come up with some solutions to house all of our samples and refresh our showroom.

Here is what it looked like about 6 years ago with the art work! Looking back, I do miss personally painting and certainly miss looking at all the beautiful art pieces which revolved on a monthly basis!! Until we can get a bigger space, our proprieties had to be to accommodating all of our client meetings and showcase samples.  Bye bye art!

Here is the before of our main conference room. It was originally the garage before we renovated the house.  I thought I would never run out of space. But 6 years later, we were bursting at the seams!

This is a shot of one side of the big room off the entry. We thought we could take this space that we previously used for retail and set up a second conference area!

Here is what it looks like today. The two chairs shown are part of a set of four.  It has been a great place to sit and meet.  For the sample display area I had spent hours drawing out different ideas for custom cabinetry but……. every carpenter I knew was working hard to get people back in their homes after Harvey. We had to rethink our plans and figure out what could we buy or build ourselves?

Link

Link

The inset drawers and top cubbies are all from??… you guessed it – IKEA!  The waterfall bases are our newest innovation, SegretoStone. All the metal bins are from Pottery Barn. My fingers were crossed when I ordered them all online hoping that all the colors blended together.

Thankfully the colors all worked!! We added brass hardware to dress up the drawers and Kirby designed this wonderful Lucite and SegretoStone conference table to meet!!

Link

The sisal rugs came from Overstock and were so well priced! They come in all sorts of sizes and look so much more expensive than they are!! A great bang for your buck.

Set with chairs from IKEA this area has become the perfect meeting space! The brass bulletin board with inset linen are from Restoration Hardware Teen.  Now all the samples are organized by color and so easy to find. Eventually this section will house the new Segreto color story. We will have plaster, paint, Segretostone and cabinet samples which will all coordinate providing clients the entire color palette in one place.  We liked the design of the entire space so much we recreated it in our main conference room!

My office got a bit of a revamp as well!!  Here is what it looked like when I shared it with Isai, our operations manager.  When he moved to the warehouse, my daughter Kirby moved in, and we felt we needed a bit of blush and pink to girly it up.

The desks and base of the new SegretoStone table are all from IKEA.  I used the same rug as in the conference areas, purchased the desk chairs from Pottery Barn Teen and added the two stools, allowing more seating for design meetings. These I found online from my favorite discount shopping sites, Ruelala.  The pink painting is actually a French framed wall covering from the 50’s that I purchased from Mecox!! I still love my plastered walls and pine ceiling that we finished to feel reclaimed!

We even coated our wooden doors with our blush SegretoStone!! It feels so heavy and solid now!!  The other side facing the hall is gray!

With no more art to hang we decided to hang some of our favorite samples on the walls!! After all, they are a form of art and clients love to see them displayed!!

Shelves from IKEA that we painted to read like brass line the hallways and hold our samples!!

I found these great well pricedsuper cool frames from Wexel Art that can be customized to any size!! I have some of the covers from the magazines we are featured in hanging on the wall! They would look amazing with family photos in your own homes. The chair-purchased 32 years ago for my dining room has been stripped bleached and finished to read as a natural wood tone rather than shiny dark mahogany!!

What a transformation.  Now the entire set of chairs surrounds a new SegretoStone table in the large conference room!  I love the contemporary mixed with aged finishes!!  Glad I save everything!! We are currently working on updating the bathroom but you know how they say the cobbler has no shoes, well in this case we have no powder bath. I hope you enjoyed the tour!! Our new layout has made it so much easier for us to serve our clients better–all the beautiful finishes are well organized and at our fingertips!! Next week I am going to take you on a warehouse tour!! Till then-Xo Leslie

The post I Am Now an IKEA Hack-Segreto’s Updated Showroom! appeared first on Segreto Finishes.

Onyx, Geodes, Marble-Trend Alert!

Hi Friends!! Hope last week was grand and this week will be even better!!  I have been busy photographing homes and writing away! This morning I was thinking about trends that were making a comeback in the home finishes, fabrics and fashion and the ancient art of marbleizing, and emulating stones came to mind.

Emulating stone has always been in our toolkit as we marbleized these columns about 20 years ago!! Now that request is coming back and we are seeing the real trompe l’oeil effects in all types of design.

I think it is because its natural nature can be also be viewed as abstract art when put in a contemporary setting like this beautiful bathroom I saw on Instagram, designed by The Nest. Using book matched marble to create an art focal wall and pendant lighting vs the traditional sconces, a clean modern feel was kept in this well designed space.

As putting slabs on all your walls may both be a construction impossibility as well as a VERY EXPENSIVE proposition, many papers are being brought to market which emulate this age old painted technique.  This Modern geode bath designed by Holly A. Kopman Interior Design was featured in Elle Decor. The gold ceiling really offsets the walls. When designing your space-don’t forget to look up!!

With marbles coming to the forefront so is the resurgence of Venetian plasters.  Developed in Italy in the 16th century they are made from a fine lime putty and a high concentration of real marble dust.

The beauty of the product is not only its luster but its ability to be tinted in dark and vibrant colors!! Always a dramatic effect for powder baths and dining rooms, we now are installing it in whole home applications. It comes in a synthetic product–I know its cheaper–but beware. The natural, pure Venetians give you the prettiest marbling and the most sheen. Cultured marble vs. real marble? Get the difference?

Andrea, one of my finish designers has been working with Interior designer Nancy Sharp to recreate this mantle in a totally different light. Wanting to visually extend the black tones outward and create a more dramatic focal for the room, we…

…hand-painted a marbleized finish right over the wood. Reading like real stone, this mantle was built and hand painted much more affordably then if it were actually carved from stone. There is so much paint can do without ripping out materials, starting from scratch and breaking the bank.

This table was painted in the same fashion for designer Linda Eyles that was fabricated by the Joseph Company. They have been so super patient with us as we have been testing new ways to apply sealers which have that authentic sheen of the real material.

Hopefully they feel it has been worth the wait as we are almost there!!

I know we can’t talk about marbleizing things without playing our favorite game of I spy!!

Disguising electrical plates to read like the surface they are around seems like such a small detail, but truly is that special added touch which makes all the difference in the world!

These beautiful stones are also coming back in dishware like this beautiful malachite set from L’Object.

Wanting a different colorway, I am currently working with a client to finish her columns to look like this precious stone!!   The beauty of paint-you can pick your color.  Here is our first round of samples. I will let you know what the client thinks.

I can’t talk about stones without showing you one of my all time favorites-pink onyx! This top just was installed in a master closet we are working on!  The gold leaf detail speaks to the trend I will talk about in next weeks post!!  Till then-xo  What’s your favorite stone?

The post Onyx, Geodes, Marble-Trend Alert! appeared first on Segreto Finishes.

Designer Spotlight-Maine Designs

Hi Friends!! You are in for a real treat today!! I have had the pleasure of meeting and collaborating with two EXTREMELY talented designers from L.A. here on a job in Houston!!

Well I always like to do a bit of research when meeting someone new, and found this isn’t the only year they have made this list!! Who are they?

Jason and Katie Maine! I was super excited to hear about their design ideas and collaborate with this dynamic power couple!!

Jason and Katie Maine comprise Maine Design’s husband-and-wife duo. Jason has been in interior design for 20 years, previously working as Creative Director for eponymous designer Michael Smith for 11 years prior to opening Maine Design. Katie has been an interior designer for 10 years. She held a design position at Michael Smith’s office where she met Jason, ultimately leaving in 2007 to help get Maine Design off the ground.

Maine Design’s passion resides in curating antiques with contemporary works. This European sensibility creates a clean vernacular that feels relevant and livable today.

They approach each project as a unique collaboration between client and designer. While every project is different, Jason and Katie’s approach remains the same. The couple submerges themselves in each commission, fully embracing the architecture and location of the property as well as their client’s needs.

Maine Design’s ever evolving design aesthetic is influenced by their passion for finding impeccable resources for their projects. They possess an extraordinary understanding of design history – as well as intimate relationships with the best work rooms and artisans from around the world.

In addition to their expertise in innovative design, Jason and Katie bring extensive technical knowledge to their projects. They work closely with their client’s architects and contractors, often acting as a liaison for their clients throughout the process.

Maine Design offers an unparalleled level of service, handling all purchasing, warehousing, job site visits, as well as organizing and implementing final installations down to the most minute details. The Maines also have a new brick and mortar venture called Home House Co-Op. The shop consists of antiques and their new furniture line curated with Jason and Katie’s sensibility.

The lessons of their mentors are clearly evident in the sophistication and confidence of Maine Design’s interiors. The couple’s fresh, contemporary sensibility, however, is purely their own.

Since the firm’s inception, their projects have included properties in New York City, the Hamptons, Aspen, Bel Air, Beverly Hills, and Brentwood among others. AND NOW HOUSTON!!!  They are as down to earth and nice as their work is interesting, well collected and brilliantly designed. Jason and Katie, thank you for sharing your beautiful work and a bit of yourselves with all of us!  Till next week!!  xo Leslie

The post Designer Spotlight-Maine Designs appeared first on Segreto Finishes.

Problems Solved!

Hi Friends! Before we get started I wanted to update you on the apple auction.  Super fun to follow, I found myself checking the auction first by the hour and then by the minute. Going to bed at 11:00—I know I am a grandma when it comes to bedtime–I had to wait to find out the final tally in the morning!!

Friend and a super talented designer–Leslie Strauss sent me this picture at 10:00.  At that time the bid for our apple was at $5500! When I woke up the next morning daughter Kirby had texted me that our art piece closed at $7,000. I was floored and so happy that this went to such a great cause!!  A part of me thought…… would the gold butterfly had made a difference? All the apples were beyond gorgeousness– the artisans that were a part of it did so much to further the future of our bright young kids and they all deserve out gratitude!! If you didn’t see last weeks post, revisit it–the artwork was spectacular.

Now for this weeks article!!!

As you all know–I actually love solving people’s design quandaries with creative decorative arts solutions!! Today I am excited to show you some transformations that have done just that. Maybe it will spur on creative solutions for your own home.

I have been posting a lot lately about the transformation that lime wash can bring. This is a job in which Torregrossa Interiors worked with Distinctive Living to change this home’s facade.

The difference was night and day and the new home after landscaping will certainly have the curb appeal the team wanted!! Lime washing stone with just the right translucency will still maintain that natural look and not feel like a painted or slurried surface. Problem solved!

This sweet homeowner liked the shape of her fireplace but there was something about the grout lines that just made her want to  rip it out.

The lines seemed old world to her and she wanted a clean contemporary fresh look so we were called to consult.

The after is just what she was envisioning. Notice how all the carvings on the moldings are gone! We opted to used a two coat plastering system so the plaster could be built up and all of those moldings could be covered up. The brighter tone looks so good with those abstracts peeking though on either side of the mantle! Problem solved!

Sometimes it’s the small changes that make people happy. This sphere, purchased at Target, was exactly the size this homeowner wanted but the stained wood is not the finish she wanted. With our gold leafing and this acrylic base from Mecox, it became her perfect coffee table accessory.  You could think about spray painting objects in a high gloss paint to reinvent the items you have.  Problem solved!

Searching high and low for a contemporary shade in the right tones and colors for a master sitting space, designer Dianna Humphry called us in to create an “art piece” on the shade.

I loved the interest it gave to this comfy corner as well the modern twist to an antique base!!  If left white, the shade would blend right into the drapes.  Problem solved!

This special plaster antique panel was built into a wine room as a feature. The homeowner felt it just didn’t have the impact she wanted so we brainstormed to come up with a plan. I suggested we create the illusion that the entire inset was the antique panel and not just the rectangular inset.

Here is the hand-painted part below the plaster relief.

Here is the top part of the panel. It really looks dimensional and from a distance it is impossible to tell which is painted and which is the panel.

Here it is with sconces in and all cleaned up! Problem solved!!

I also have been experimenting with some problem solving recipes for my waistline. You know how I love chicken salad, so I have been testing new recipes to enjoy my favorite dish in a much more slimming way. I don’t follow recipes so you will need to taste test as you go. Try using a soft avocado instead of mayo. Mix that with a spoonful of Greek yogurt and then just a smidgen of mayo. If you use only Greek yogurt then squeeze a bit of lemon juice into the mix. I like Chobani brand the best.

For the chicken, Kirkland from Costco is my favorite in a can or the already shredded variety from HEB. Add 3 chopped hard boiled eggs, chopped celery, salt and pepper, and a bit of chopped onions if you like. Buying things already chopped really makes life easier!!

I love it on top of apple slices, rolled in lettuce or scooped up with cucumbers, plantain chips or sweet bell peppers! I have not missed the bread one bit!! Give it a try and let me know your favorite versions!!

Exciting news thanks to you!!  Segreto Secrets has grown tremendously since the day I shared my first post back in 2011. From design inspiration, designer spotlights, lifestyle subjects, and Segreto’s newest ventures, I treasure connecting with each of you every week. With your continued support, Segreto Secrets was listed as one of the Top Interior Design Blogs that Rock the Web and recieved the Conseiller En Décor Award.

Check out the other’s listed.  I found some cool new friends!!  I hope you have a wonderful week.

The post Problems Solved! appeared first on Segreto Finishes.

An Apple a Day!

Hi Friends! I can’t tell you how excited I am to share this project with you! We were asked to be a part of creating art from a 2 ft. by 17 in. green resin apple for the oldest private school in Houston–Kinkaid.  This Tastemaker Apple Project was headed up by decorator Alex Stillwell and PaperCity publisher Monica Bickers who asked 14 well-known creatives to participate. We were honored to be grouped with such inspiring creations from such famous artisans. They are all magnificent! I thought you would love seeing them all as much as I have!!

Cubist by Miles Redd

Miles Redd embarked on his interior design career after graduating from NYU, honing his skills with antiques dealer John Rosselli and decorator Bunny Williams. In 1998 he opened his own design firm in New York City.  He is known for his quirky brand of cozy glamour, and his trademark approach to design has brought to life rooms infused with boldness, fantasy and sophistication. Miles’ fabric, Cubist, for Schumacher, inspires this apple’s design.

Apples on Apple by John Derian

 John Derian’s decoupage is handmade in his studio in New York City, where he employs a small staff of artisans to assist with production. His designs are sold at upscale home stores, in catalogs and gift shops worldwide. The full range of John’s work, including his ephemera, ceramic and furniture collaborations, is available at his own retail shops in Manhattan’s East Village where he has an ever-changing assortment of vintage and antique imports, bed and table linens, stationery, plate-ware, lighting and original art work by Hugo Guinness. Apples decoupage on an apple is bright and colorful and waiting for a home.

Untitled by Hunt Slonem

 Hunt Slonem is an American painter whose work uniquely combines representational imagery with Abstract Expressionist renderings. Best known for his colorful paintings of tropical birds, butterflies and rabbits. He is considered an integral member of the Neo-Expressionist movement. Untitled, is crafted with oil and acrylic painted bunnies on a red diamond dusted apple. 

Butterflies & Foliage by Gracie

 Since 1898, the Gracie family has offered the finest range of hand-painted scenes, antiques and lacquer. Our studio paints each order by hand, and each project is a unique work of art. The artists are capable of any level of customization, which is evident in the apple.  Master Artist Taki first prepped the apple with a base coat of red Cashew Lacquer then covered it in 24-carat gold leaf. Once the gold leaf was applied, he hand-painted the butterflies and foliage.

Volute of an Ionic Column by Curtis & Windham

 Over more than two decades, Curtis & Windham has pursued excellence in architecture and landscapes.  In 1992, founding principals Bill Curtis and Russell Windham established the practice in Houston, and today with a design team of professionals spanning three disciplines, their work continues with a shared appreciation for the timeless design principles that are found in both historic and modern design. The Ionic order forms one of the three classical orders of classical architecture, the other two canonic orders being the Doric and the Corinthian. 

Pomme Purple by Christopher Spitzmiller

Christopher Spitzmiller’s iconic ceramic lamp designs draw inspiration from classical forms and traditional gem like glazes. The lamps are of timeless appeal and luxurious quality. Beautiful classic forms are drenched in bold vibrant rich glazes. Each one of a kind lamp is set in a hand turned hardwood base, which is water gilt with 23k yellow gold or 9k white gold for a silver finish. In Pomme Purple, Spitzmiller has turned the apple into a functioning lamp on a 23k yellow gold base. 

The Fay Apple by Ashley Woodson Bailey

A self-taught photographer, Ashley’s signature “florography” art prints launched in 2014. Her eponymous brand naturally expanded to include wallpapers, fabrics and limited-edition products as her desire to live among the flowers grew. Her inaugural collection “Dark” was inspired by the transition of the flower from blossom to fading stem and the deep desire to preserve this metamorphosis as a frozen moment in time. Ashley created this design in memory of her grandmother, Toody Fay Byrd.  The mockingbird is both for the BYRD’s and for the state bird of Texas.  The Florida Blue snake is a nod to Ashley’s new home of Florida.  Toody Fay Byrd always taught Ashley to be strong and smart and to use her voice to tell incredible stories from the life she has led.

Bad Apple by Ashley Longshore

Ashley Longshore is a Louisiana-based painter, gallery owner and entrepreneur.  She is the owner of the Longshore Studio Gallery, located on Magazine Street in New Orleans. Longshore’s art focuses on pop culture, Hollywood glamour and American consumerism and has been compared to the artwork of Andy Warhol. She has worked with celebrity art collectors including Blake Lively, Salma Hayek, Eli Manning, and Penelope Cruz. In 2018, The New York Times described Longshore as an “avatar of pop feminism to thousands of followers”. Bad Apple mixes Ashley’s sense of style and humor into a work of art.

 

Garden of Eden by Liz Marsh

Liz grew up with a Mother who loved the hunt and explored antique shops for treasures and early inspirations came from Paris flea markets and antique fairs. Always obsessed with Interior Design (her chosen field since 7th grade civics class), Liz felt having posh lamps made a room complete. Liz began making decoupage lamps back in the 80’s and created lamps for Brunschwig & Fils in the 90’s before moving to Paris where she exported antiques. After returning to Houston, the fashion biz beckoned and she was the Director of Jimmy Choo, Bottega Veneta and Dior. There is always a strong correlation of fashion to art, her first love. Back in the creative business, she works in every medium and creates a myriad of works. Garden of Eden brings fashion and art together for an incredible apple.

Pixelated by Reagan Corbett

 Reagan Corbett, a native of Houston, Texas, received her BA in Studio Art from the University of Texas at Austin, College of Fine Arts.  She also studied at the University of Paris Sorbonne. Reagan currently resides in Houston where her career as an emerging artist has taken flight. As color has proven to play an instrumental role throughout all of Corbett’s work, it is no surprise that her apple features over 100 hand mixed colors. The combination of “pixelated” colors, diamond-dust and a 1950s-1970s color palette makes this apple sculpture the epitome of Corbett’s work. The viewer is invited to experience every dimension of Pixelated Apple by carefully spinning the sculpture’s rotating, diamond-dust base.

Dutch Delft by Ann Wolf

Ann Wolf is an interior designer living and working in Houston, Texas. Ann is inspired by her worldwide travels, but also by the Houston based craftsmen and artists in her own backyard. This apple, painted after a 19th Century Dutch Delft Jar and fitted with a brass liner, reflects her passion for combining beauty and functionality. Display it closed as a beautiful object or take off the lid and use it as a cachepot to bring life to your room.

This is the apple with a shot of it taken at our studio with a textured plaster backdrop.  We had originally molded a plaster butterfly for the top and coated it in gold leaf.

Here is the Apple with out the gold butterfly. Which do you like best? We had such STRONG opinions both ways!! Which did they choose?

Without

Giardino Segreto by Segreto Finishes

 Segreto Finishes, with a staff of close to 50 artisans, considers creating beauty in their clients lives through perfectly crafted backdrops, not only a passion, but their mission. With work featured in Architectural Digest, Veranda and House Beautiful to name a few, they have become Houston’s premier firm for finishes. Considering architecture, interiors, surfaces and personal lifestyle, their team considers it an honor to customize individualized plans, which lend both interior and exterior surroundings a whole new perspective. Monochromatic and natural, this sculpture evokes the sense that we are perfect in our own simplicity.  Each element of the floral branches were first artistically formed from clay, then a molded to create multiples of the same design elements. Formed to the apple’s shape, the piece was then coated in a lime-based plaster evoking nature at its best, while transforming the piece into a living-breathing piece.

Here is where the butterfly is now!! I hope you enjoyed seeing all of these wonderful creations!!  Which is your favorite????  This year the auction is open to the public so you can bid!! I hope you all have a great week!!  Happy bidding!! xo

Each apple is a one-of-a-kind wonder, representative of the sheer creativity and talent from top tastemakers of our time. Bidding, which starts at $1,000, is open to the public and runs from Monday, February 18 at 10 am through Saturday, February 23 at 11:59 pm at kinkaid2019.ggo.bid.–Paper City

 

The post An Apple a Day! appeared first on Segreto Finishes.